The Adamawa State Government, in partnership with the Debbie Kauna Foundation, has inaugurated the first-ever digital empowerment hub designed to benefit persons with disabilities in Michika and Madagali Local Government Areas of the state.
The hub, part of a post-insurgency strategy driven by the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund in collaboration with UN Women, aims to provide access to information technology for marginalised groups, particularly women and girls with disabilities, fostering their full participation and equality in society.
Speaking at the inauguration held on Thursday in Shuwa, Madagali, and Michika Central, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Neido Kofulto, highlighted the importance of the initiative.
“This digital hub will help bridge the IT gap experienced by marginalised groups in the state,” Kofulto stated, emphasising the government’s commitment to supporting local and international development partners.
Kofulto commended the Debbie Kauna Foundation for securing the grant that facilitated the establishment of the IT infrastructure and acknowledged the administration’s ongoing support for similar projects aimed at empowering vulnerable communities.
The Socio-Economic Officer of the Foundation, Chimda Musa, noted that the hub was made possible through funding from NHF and a collaborative partnership with UN Women, aimed at promoting socio-economic inclusion for underserved communities.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Debbie Kauna Foundation, Deborah Bubwa, described the hub as a multipurpose facility, primarily designed for persons with disabilities but also serving as a centre for various online registrations, including JAMB and WAEC, thanks to its 24-hour solar-powered lighting system.
“The hub is established to bridge the gap in IT infrastructure for persons with disabilities in Michika and Madagali, who have been marginalised for years,” Bubwa said.
She added, “While it is dedicated to people with disabilities, it also serves the broader community for educational purposes.
“This hub connects them to the global world, showcasing their capacities and abilities. Many of them are rebuilding their lives after the insurgency, and this centre offers them a chance to do so more effectively.”
The event was attended by council officials, traditional leaders, and representatives from various PWD groups and the Network of Adamawa Non-Governmental Organisations.
During the ceremony, attendees were screened for hearing and vision impairments to determine their eligibility for assistive devices.
Notably, Kofulto also participated in the screening process.
A total of 320 assistive devices have been earmarked for distribution to beneficiaries across the two local government areas, further enhancing their ability to access digital resources and improve their quality of life.
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